"What do you mean she canceled?!" Midnight squeaked out while speaking to the manager of the Canterlot Cathedral.

"I'm sorry Midnight, but she sent this letter stating that she wouldn't be able to sing at your performance tomorrow." The manager stated as he hoofed the letter over to the Alicorn. Midnight taking it up in his magic as he began to read it to himself.

"Dear Midnight,

First off I would like to apologize to you in advance for having to cancel my performance within your scheduled time in Canterlot. A few issues have come up recently that require my attention and has forced me to be elsewhere during that time. Please contact me again in the future should you want to schedule another performance along with me.

Kind regards,

Sapphire Shores."

Midnight gave an annoyed snort sending out a flame from his nostrils and igniting the letter that floated before him. "Well then, I guess I will have to fill the slot with somepony else." He groaned. "But who can I fill it with at such short notice?"

It was still early in the morning as Midnight had gone by the Cathedral to make sure that everything was still in place for his performance the following day. Unfortunately for him though he had arrived to find out that one of his opening acts, Sapphire Shores, had canceled at the last moment leaving him with a large gap that would take up almost a quarter of his time in the Cathedral. Not to mention that many of the ponies that had purchased tickets were only getting them to see her, and not him, or the other ponies lined up to also perform that night. He pulled out a small pamphlet to go over the performances for that night to see what he could add in to cover for Sapphire.

"Hmmmmm. Finding a pony for this spot is going to be hard since all it is, is vocals." He spoke as he looked over the list.

Opening act: The Great and Powerful Trixie.
Second act: DJ Pon3

Intermission

Third act: Sapphire Shores
Fourth act: Midnight Flame

He continued looking over the pamphlet hoping that he would think of a replacement so that he wouldn't have to cancel the performance. He had already reserved the Cathedral, and every ticket had been sold out. If he canceled, he would have to refund every single bit. In doing so he would be nearly broke. He gave a heavy sigh as he shook his head to clear the fog only for it to get worse.

"Time for a walk." He said before teleporting back to Ponyville.

As he arrived in the small town of Ponyville, he immediately began slowly walking along the streets to think of what he could do to fill in the gap at his performance. Although he had already been in this world a little over a year now, had hadn't actually taken the time to find any other ponies that could perform in the music area, much less sing.

After a couple hours of thinking of what to do he finally gave up, heading toward Rarity's boutique to talk with her on if she knew any ponies that could sing.

*ding*

As he entered the shop the bell rang above the door signalling his entrance.

"Comiiiiiiiing." Rarity called from the back room as she made her way to the front. "Midnight, darling............. what's wrong?" She stopped for a moment as she looked at the slightly saddened expression the Alicorn was giving.

"Sapphire Shores canceled for my performance tomorrow." He sighed, feeling defeated as he trotted up to the Ivory pony before him, giving her a nuzzle.

"I'm sorry darling, have you found any other pony to take her spot?" She asked looking up to him as he shook his head.

"No, I can't find a vocalist anywhere. I actually came by here to see if you knew of any that doesn't mind a last second invitation." He said giving a hopefully smile to her.

"I'm sorry darling, but I don't know of any other pony that could sing well without breaking a window or two." She gave a saddened smile as well looking up to the now downtrodden Alicorn.

"I guess I'm stuck then." He sighed as he began to trot toward the door of the boutique to leave only to stop as he heard a faint voice that was singing softly.

"Rarity." He spoke up catching her attention. "Come here and listen."

Rarity made her way to his side noticing his ears swiveling around. "Night? What is it?"

"Can you hear that? It sounds like somepony singing." He stated as his ears stopped in position, finding the direction the voice was coming from. "Who's upstairs?" He asked while looking up the staircase.

"Sweetie is upstairs cleaning her room. Why do you ask?"

"Because I hear a beautiful voice that could possibly fill the empty slot in my performance." He smiled widely as he slowly made his way up the staircase, listening to the heavenly voice that was echoing through the hall. As he made it to in front of Sweetie's room he stopped to listen, closing his eyes and blocking out every other sense except for his hearing. He stood their quietly, listening to every word that was sung before it came to a stop. He opened his eyes smiling just before giving the door a quick knock.

"Come in." Sweetie spoke out cheerfully.

"Hey there Sweetie." Midnight smiled to the young filly.

"Uncle Midnight!" She squealed out happily as she bounded over, giving the Alicorn a hug. "What are you doing here, I thought you were going to be in Canterlot for a few days." She piped up.

"Well, I had to come back to find another pony for my concert. You remember Sapphire Shores?" He asked seeing her nod.
"She had to cancel at the last minute and now I have to find another pony to sing in her place." He sighed giving a sad expression while pouting.

"Oh no. I'm sorry Uncle." She spoke out giving him a tighter hug.

"It's ok Sweetie, you wouldn't know of anypony that wouldn't mind singing in front of a lot of ponies and making a few bits on the side would you?" He smiled.

Sweetie looked to the side placing a hoof onto her chin as she gave a thoughtful look. After a minute she pulled her hoof away shaking her head. "Sorry Uncle, I don't know anypony that could help."

"Not even a little filly?" He asked giving her a smirk.

"No............... wait, you mean me?!" Her voice cracked in surprise.

"Well you do have a very pretty singing voice Sweetie. Why not show it off?" He smiled.

"B-but, I can't sing in front of a crowd of ponies!? What if they laughed at me if I messed up?" She pouted.

"They wouldn't laugh at you, and if they did I would turn them all into frogs." He smirked causing her to giggle.

"Would you really? Even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?" She giggled loudly thinking of them as frogs.

"Yep, even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, I'd even give them a big old wart right on their noses." He chuckled pressing his nose to Sweetie's playfully.

"Ok, I'll sing for you." She smiled happily.

"Yeaaaaaa!" Midnight cheered trotting around with Sweetie on his back causing her to giggle out. "Now how about we go downstairs and get Rarity to make you a dress for the performance?"

"Awwww, do I have to wear one?" She groaned.

"It is Canterlot Cathedral Sweetie. A Lot of important ponies will be watching. Besides, it will only be for about an hour, then you can take it off." He smiled as they made their way downstairs.

"I guess one hour wouldn't hurt." She smiled while thinking it over.

"Rarity, you got a minute?" Midnight asked as he came into the front part of the boutique.

"Yes darling, what is it?" She replied as she came into the front wearing a pair of red glasses and floating a measuring tape along her side.

"I have found a pony to take Sapphires place." He smiled.

"Really now? That was rather quick. Who is the lucky pony?" She asked as she set her glasses and measuring tape to the side.

"ME!" Sweetie yelled as she jumped from Midnight's back onto the floor giving a huge smile.

Rarity stood there in shock as she looked between Midnight and her sister. After a minute she spoke.

"Midnight? Are you sure this is a wise decision? I mean she is just a filly after all." she said causing Sweetie to look a little disheartened.

"She is not just an ordinary filly Rarity." He spoke up as he lifted the little filly into the air and onto his back while trotting around the room playfully. "This little filly can SING! Her voice will have stallions and mares alike fall at her hooves all across the land. She could even beat Sapphire Shores in a sing off. Just a little filly?! Noooooooo, This is a spectacular filly with a beautiful and unforgettable talent!" He smiled while trotting about, only to look back and see a huge blush across Sweeties face.

"Too much?" He asked giving a sheepish grin.

"Just a little." She smiled. "But thank you anyway Uncle." She giggled while hugging his snout.

"So how about that dress my dear?" He chuckled toward Rarity who only rolled her eyes.

"Come with me Sweetie, I should have something finished in a few hours." She smiled only to hear a groan from Sweetiebelle.

The following day Midnight had arrived at the Cathedral early that morning along with Sweetie at his side. He would be going over the songs that would be sung by her as well as doing the entire performance to make sure everything was in its place. As time passed though he would noticed that Sweetiebelle became more and more worried, slowly pacing back and forth, and even having trouble with getting into her dress as the time approached for the show to start.

"Sweetie?" Midnight spoke up as he trotted to her side.

"Uncle............ I don't know if I can do this.......... There are so many ponies out there." She spoke as her eyes welled up, threatening to let the floodgates open.

"Sweetie, there is nothing to worry about." He smiled warmly while picking the filly up and placing her onto his back.

"That's easy for you to say, your big, and an Alicorn. No pony would laugh at you if you messed up or cried in front of them." She sighed looking away.

"Now that's not true Sweetie, I have had ponies laugh at me before, and I have cried in front of ponies as well." He spoke as ponies began to slowly file into the Cathedral.

"Really? What did you do when they laughed?" She asked feeling extremely curious as to how an Alicorn would handle the situation.

"When they laughed at me, I laughed right back. Of course I felt silly for doing something that would cause them to laugh at me, but when you hear them laughing, you know you have brought a bit of happiness into their lives, even if it is at your expense. That in turn made me happy and caused me to laugh right along with them." He smiled again seeing Sweeties expression change to something more happy.

"But what about when you cried?" She asked feeling a pang of fear.

"Sweetie, I cried because I felt like all was lost and nopony was going to be there for me. Any pony who would laugh at you for crying is not a good pony at all. They don't deserve your attention or to be in your presence. You will always be better than anypony who would laugh at you for crying. But don't worry about that, as long as I'm here by your side, I'll make sure that nopony hurts you in anyway." He smiled to her as tears slowly fell from her eyes, she hugging his snout as if there were no tomorrow.

"Thank you Uncle. I'll do my best." She smiled as he wiped away her tears with a small handkerchief.

Midnight stopped as he listened to the voices begin to die down within the Cathedral as the lights lowered. "It's time to start Sweetie, go get a seat in the front row and watch your Uncle make the ponies laugh." He chuckled as he sat her onto the floor, stepping to Trixie's side.

Sweetie quickly trotted down the stairs leading from the stage and taking a seat into the front row as she watched. Midnight was standing next to Trixie who was starting to hyperventilate.

"Trixie? Are you ok?" Midnight asked looking down to her at his side.

"I'll be ok, It has been a while since our last performance and we are just a little nervous to be performing in Canterlot of all places." She spoke as she began to steady herself as they walked out onto stage behind the curtain.

"Don't worry, I know you'll do great." He smiled down to her as she gave a very nervous smile back just as the announcer began to speak up to introduce the first act. Upon hearing the announcer she seized up in fear, Midnight noticing this he leaned down looking her directly into the eyes.

"Don't you bail on me to Trixie, I already had Sapphire shores bail. Please don't do this" He pleaded only to see her looking through him. He gave a snort listening to the announcer coming to a close, but before he could finish Midnight pressed forth kissing Trixie. She let out a startled but muffled yelp into the kiss before relaxing. They parted, Midnight giving a smirk seeing her flustered appearance. "Are you ok now?"

"Better than alright!" She grinned giving a determined smile as the announcer finished, walking off stage as the curtain raised.

Sweetiebelle sat quietly watching the show as Trixie jumped forward onto the stage in an array of magical fireworks. She would continue with many tricks of her trade using Midnight as her assistant. She sat in awe as Midnight would vanish from sight on one trick to reappear somewhere else, be sawed in half, or being skewered by swords while inside a large box. As the act came to a close everypony within the Cathedral stomped the floor cheering loudly.

After a good ten minutes from the curtain lowering the announcer came back onto the stage to introduce the next act as ponies began to crack glow sticks while moving up toward the stage. The seats would all be removed temporarily during the next performance leaving Sweetie standing and surrounded by a tightly packed crowd. After a minute of concentrating she used her magic to slowly lift herself into the air above the ponies and began to slowly float toward the stairs to the stage but stopped as he magic began to fail. She let out a squeal as she began to fall but stopped as she was suddenly caught above the crowd and pulled toward the stage. She looked up to see her Uncle smiling as he floated her onto his back at the edge of the stage.

"Sorry Sweetie, I forgot about them removing the seats for Vinyls performance. I'll be out there helping her out as well. Do you want to stay here, or would you like to sit on my head while we perform?" He chuckled getting a giggle out of her before she climbed to the top of his head smiling. "I guess that answers my question." He chuckled as the announcer came onto the speakers once again, introducing DJ Pon3 and Midnight.

Vinyl and Midnight trotted up to their positions as the lights dimmed to completely black out the entire Cathedral. All that could be seen was glow sticks being swung about. That was before the beat started.

The crowd had heard that DJ Pon3's newest performance was going to include all new material, but they were unprepared to experience the sickest songs they had ever heard. Midnight stood at her side as they both bobbed to the beats, Sweetiebelle atop Midnights head holding a set of turtle shell earphones to one side of her head as her other hoof waved back and forth causing the crowd to roar and follow along. As the song came to a close though it picked up with an entirely new genre the ponies had never heard.

DJ Pon3 began to sing along as the song began, the beat was slow but strong as her voice echoed through the Cathedral before the heavy beats kicked in. Every pony on the floor danced to the music as it played, slowing down and even stopping before picking up once again as the music changed.

As the song came to a close Vinyl stepped forward eliciting a massive cheer from the crowd as she spoke into the mic.

"How is everypony tonight!" She yelled as the crowd roared back. "Let me hear you make some nooooooiiiiiiise!" She shouted again pressing the mic toward the crowd making them erupt.

"That's what I like to hear! We have a special announcement from our newest resident Alicorn, Midnight Flame!" She shouted while tossing the mic to him.

"Alright!" He shouted eliciting another cheer. "I have an announcement about tonight's performance." He began as the roar slowly receded.

"Unfortunately Sapphire Shores could not make it tonight." He spoke out hearing a few aw's and boo's within the large crowd. "HOWEVER! I have brought a special guest who is by far the most talented singer I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She is going to be taking Sapphires place tonight so I hope that you all will welcome her with open arms as this is her first ever performance to the public!" He shouted getting a loud cheer from the crowd. She will be out right after this intermission. So sit tight and wait to be amazed!" He shouted again eliciting another roar from the crowd.

After the stage had been reset and the new instruments set up for the final performances Midnight slowly made his way on stage along with Sweetiebelle who was smiling widely as the curtain had yet to be pulled. Getting into position, Midnight's horn lit up a blistering white as all of the instruments began to play.

After a good ten seconds the crowd began to cheer as they listened to the sweetest voice they had ever heard singing the song. That was until the curtain slowly pulled apart revealing Sweetiebelle in her dress singing into the microphone. She continued even as the crowd went silent for a moment before cheering even louder seeing the young filly smiling to them as she sang.

Once the first song ended she picked up once again singing the second song making the crowd burst alive with a cheer as they listened intently to the filly's voice filling their hearts and ears with her voice. As the song came to a close she smiled to the crowd who roared loudly causing her to cry from being so happy. After a few seconds the crowd went silent before roaring loudly once again as hooves met the floor in a thunderous applause. Midnight coming up to her side smiling as he leaned down to her while speaking.

"Congratulations Sweetie." He smiled giving her a nudge.

"On what uncle?" She asked looking up to him as he nodded back to her flank. She looked back seeing something showing on her flank from just under the edge of her dress. She pulled the dress gently to the side as her eyes went wide, a smiling bursting across her face as she saw her new cutie mark. It was a lovely pastel purple bell with a music note to the side of it.

Sweetiebelle looked up to Midnight with a smile as it slowly broke into a soft sobbing. He picked her up giving her a gentle hug as the crowd continued to cheer on. After a minute Sweetie wiped her face smiling and waving to the crowd.

After setting Sweetie down he moved back to the stage to continue his performance for the night. A short time passed as the concert wrapped up and many of the ponies leaving while a few stayed to get autographs. All of the performers sat behind a long table signing pictures and taking photos with the patrons as the line moved along.

"Finally we got to the front." Groaned Scootaloo as went under the table giving Midnight a nudge in the side. He looking down and smiling as Applebloom and Scootaloo were smiling up to him.

"Hey girls, why didn't you come back stage?" He asked looking at them.

"We, kinda lost our passes in the crowd." Scootaloo grinned sheepishly while rubbing her withers.

"Yea...." Applebloom added giving a sad smile.

"That's alright girls. Hey! Did you see Sweetie singing?" He smiled to them seeing their faces light up.

"Yea, and we saw her get her cutiemark to." Applebloom smiled giving Sweetie a nudge next to Midnight.

"Congratulations Sweetie, I can't believe you finally got it." Scootaloo giggled while hugging the cream colored filly.

"Thanks girls, I owe it all to Uncle Midnight though. If he hadn't offered to let me take that other ponies place to sing. I might not have gotten my cutiemark." She smiled giving her uncle another hug.

"Not a problem girls, I'm just happy to see that you finally got it. Now all we have to do is work on you two." He chuckled as he looked between Scootaloo and Applebloom.

"Alright!" They cheered high hoofing.

The rest of the evening went off without a hitch as the crusaders stayed at Midnight's side. They ended up teleporting back to Ponyville with him, staying at the boutique with Sweetiebelle for the night. Once they had arrived in the boutique the three fillies jumped from their spot on Midnight's back to the floor heading upstairs to Sweetie's room, but not before stopping to show Rarity Sweetie's new cutiemark. Rarity gave a happy squeal hugging her sister tightly seeing the new cutiemark. Sweetie trying her best to get away only to be broke apart from her sister by Midnight. The three fillies headed upstairs to sleep as Midnight stayed downstairs with Rarity to chat.

"I can't believe she finally got her cutie mark. How did she get it?" She asked giving a smile.

"The kid can sing, she had the entire Cathedral cheering louder than they had for any other performers, even me." He chuckled.

"Well I'm glad she finally got her mark. Now she will end up focusing on helping her two friends get theirs." She smirked.

"I'll be helping them along with that. I just hope everything works out and they get theirs as well." He smiled giving Rarity a quick kiss before letting out a large yawn. "Let's get to bed hun, it's been a long day." He smiled softly as they headed to bed for the night. Midnight smiled as he passed Sweetiebelle's room seeing the three fillies sleeping snugly together.

"One down, two to go." Midnight smiled once again as he headed into Rarity's room. Sleep quickly finding him.